Pratt Institute encompasses a number of schools, in Architecture; Art & Design; Liberal Arts; Schol of Information and Library Science; and ProStudies. Pratt Institute attracts highly motivated, talented students from a variety of backgrounds. Applications are welcome from all qualified students, regardless of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, or handicap. The Admissions Committee bases its decisions on a careful review of all credentials submitted by the applicant. Although admission standards at Pratt are high, extraordinary talent may sometimes offset a lower grade point average or test score. If a student is not accepted, this decision is neither a negative reflection on the student’s chances for successful completion of similar studies at another institution, nor does it preclude the student's eventual admission to the Institute.

Pratt Institute is a coeducational undergraduate and graduate institution chartered and empowered to confer academic degrees by the State of New York. The certificates and degrees conferred are registered by the New York State Education Department. Pratt is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The School of Architecture’s undergraduate program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. The School of Art and Design is a member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The undergraduate Interior Design program is accredited by FIDER. The graduate program in Library and Information Science is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association. The Graduate Art Therapy degrees are approved by the American Art Therapy Association. The Graduate Dance/Movement Therapy program received a seven-year approval from the American Dance Therapy Association.

Pratt's main campus is located at 200 Willoughby Ave. in Brooklyn, with a Manhattan Center at 144 West 14th Street.